Penn State Joe Paterno Just Wants To Start Over

September 01, 1985|by JOHN KUNDA, The Morning Call

If the coin comes up heads, it's John Shaffer. If it comes up tails, it's Matt Knizner.

The point might be stretched a bit, but there is another quarterback dilemma brewing at Penn State, and, heaven help the Nittany Lions if it develops the way the last one did. Remember the indecision not too long ago over Doug Strang and Don Lonegran?

The names are different this time around, but the situation is all too familiar.

Unfortunately for Penn State and Joe Paterno is it coming at a time when some deep wounds have to be soothed. The Nittany Lions were 6-5 in 1984, but more damaging than that so-so record was that Notre Dame and Pitt all but embarrassed them in the last two games. It was Penn State's poorest season since 1966.

Paterno, who will begin his 20th year as head coach of the Lions, is all talked out about the nightmare of 1984. He says, "we're starting all over."

All Paterno says about the quarterbacksituation is that "both players (Shaffer and Knizner) are equal . . . we'll just have to wait and see. I'm in no hurry to name a starter."

Insiders say that Knizner may have the edge, even though it was Shaffer who filled in more last year for Strang. Knizner is the better runner. Shaffer has the better arm.

Last year, Shaffer, who is a junior as is Knizner, completed 40 of 96 passes for a weak 41.7 percent. Knizner, in limited action, completed seven of 14 passes. What makes the quarterback situation even more important is that Penn State isn't opening its season with a lesser light team. The Nittany Lions open against Maryland in Maryland on Sept. 7, and from what has been said about Maryland has to be pounding inside the Penn State brain trust. The Terps have been pre-rated anywhere from No. 1 to No. 5.

There is still another question mark in the Penn State backfield. It deals with D.J. Dozier, as good a runner as ever came to the Nittany Valley. However, Dozier has had an assortment of injuries since he arrived and finally had knee surgery during the winter.

The junior tailback, who had brought smiles to the Penn State Faithful when he was running on sound legs, missed spring practice, but has declared himself fit. Paterno is somewhat cautious because "you don't know how he'll react to the cutting and pounding. Only real game conditions will tell us that."

Dozier's backups include Dave Clark and Kevin Woods, both of whom saw limited action. Clark had a 100-yard rushing day last year against William and Mary.

Paterno uses the word "potential" when he talks about his fullbacks, Steve Smith, Tim Manoa and Eufard Cooper. Manoa saw the most playing time of this group, and figures to be the starter.

The receiving corps was a young one a year ago, and the graduation loss of Kenny Jackson left a gaping hole. Paterno feels that the corps has learned it lessons through experience, and that should help. Returnees include George Alpert, Jim Coates, Eric Hamilton and Ray Roundtree.

Dean DiMidio heads the tight end list, along with Brian Siverling. Bow Williams of Notre Dame at Green Pond and transplatend Mike Beckish will be the backups.

Penn State's offensive line could be a strong point. A lot of familiar names are back in camp, but Paterno hopes "they can mold into a solid unit." A good deal of time was spent with the offensive line in spring practice.

One of the leading candidates for a starting position was Allen's Mike Wolf. However, Wolf suffered a knee injury that has set him back some. Mitch Freotte, Chris Conlin, Todd Moules and Rob Smith appear to be the bulk up front.

Smith was the winner of the most improved offensive lineman after spring practice. He was a starter at guard last fall before an injury set him back. This season Smith will be the center.

Other linemen to watch are tackles Stephen Davis and Tom Wilk; guards Stan Clayton and Rich Kuzy and centers George Mrvos and Keith Radecic.

It may sound ridiculous to say that the Penn State defense appears to be in good hands because of the two whippings Notre Dame and Pitt dished out last November, but, again, almost the entire defensive is back and it should have learned something. Eighteen of the 22 defensive players are returning.

To that, Paterno says, "experience means nothing to us right now; ability is what's important and we have to find out just who has that kind of ability."

Bob White, who found his niche as a defensive end, heads the list of defensive returnees. Don Ginnetti and Mike Russo had the best defensive stats last year and will join repositioned Dan Morgan as the key men up front. Also contending for playing time are Eric Alwine, Pete Curkendall and Tim Johnson. Todd Moules is also back, but he has been moved to the offensive line.

Linebacking seems solid with Don Graham, Rogers Alexander, who might be the most underrated of them all; Shane Conlan, Bob Ontko, Chris Collins, Pete Giftopoulos and Trey Bauer are all familiar names. Gregg Johns and Mike Uhlar are also contending for linebacking spots.